When Central City, Black Hawk and Cripple Creek joined together to push a statewide vote to legalize “limited stakes gaming” as a way to save the old mining towns — and also pour huge amounts of money into the State Historical Fund, now the largest historic-preservation program in the country — voters envisioned streets lined with mom-and-pop establishments, not the behemoths of present-day Black Hawk. But mom-and-pop is exactly what Dostal Alley was, and what it remains today. “We’ve decided that’s how we’re going to stay — a small, family-run operation,” explains Buddy Schmalz, the son who started a brewpub in the back of his parents’ Central City casino six years ago. A year later, Schmalz was elected mayor of Central City, making him the first brewpub-owning mayor in Colorado. And a good one, who’s worked with the council to haul Central City out of a financial mess. “With a lot of common-sense stuff, we were able to pull it off,” he says. Ka-ching!

Here are the rest of the winners from 1992:

BEST OF DENVER 1992

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Best Local Celebrity: James King Readers' Choice: Marilyn Van Derbur Atler

Best Local Heroes: Bicentennial Team East High School Readers' Choice (tie): Daddy Bruce/Tom Sutherland

Best Renewed Feud: Baby Doe vs. Augusta Tabor

Best Long-Running Feud: Douglas Bruce vs. Natalie Meyer

Best Mong-Playing Feud: Jesse Ceci vs. the Colorado Symphony Orchestra

Best VFW Post: Post No. 1

Best Jail: Boulder County Jail

Best Mayberry Jail: Bent County Jail, Las Animas

Best Small-town Crime: Blowing up Frosty the Snowman

Best Small-town Blanket Protection: Human Comforters Project

Best Unwitting Elvis Impersonator: Patrolman Rick Romero

Best Courtroom in a Hotel: Denver County Small Claims Court, The Radisson Hotel Annex

Best Courtroom: Courtroom One, City and County Building

Best Urban Legend About a Prison: Homemade bread rumor

Best Urban Legend About a Train Station: Tunnels

Best Place for the Next KKK Rally: Rocky Flats Readers' Choice: Hell

Best Speaker for the Next KKK Rally: Felix L. Sparks

Best News for Witches: Don't need a license

Best Local Politician: State Senator Dennis Gallagher Readers' Choice: Pat Schroeder

Best Move by a Local Politician: Senator Tim Worth

Best City Councilmember: Mary DeGroot

Best Romer Appointment: George Turner

Best Romer Depointment: Augie Cook

Best Political Memoir: Political Wives, Private Lives by Joyce Schuck

Best Song About a TV Reporter: Jeff Shoemaker's Paula Woodward song

Best Used Television Disposal: 2011 W. 20th St.

Best Telephone Pole for Public Notices: The alley off 13th Ave. between Washington and Pearl Streets

Best Unlikely Columnist: Mark Samuelson, On the Home Front

Best -- and Sometimes Only -- Reason to Read the Rocky Mountain News: Greg Lopez

Best New Publication: The Bitches From Hell Reporter

Best Headline: Apathy Blasted, but Few Listen Colorado Daily

Best Cure for Insomnia: “Doin' It in the Den" KDEN-AM

Best Local Radio Talk-show Host: Peter Boyles, KYBG-AM Readers' Choice: Ken Hamblin

Best TV Producer: Vicki Hildner, KCNC-Channel 4

Best TV Weathercaster: Marty Coniglio, KCNC-Channel 4 Readers' Choice: Larry Green

Best Hair on a Local TV Personality: Neal Browne, KUSA-Channel 9 Readers' Choice: Mike Landess

Best Is-It-Hair? on a Local TV Personality: Mike Nelson, KUSA-Channel 9

Best TV Sportscaster: Les Shapiro, KCNC-Channel 4 Readers' Choice:: Ron Zappolo

Best Local TV News Anchor: Bertha Lynn, KMGH-Channel 7 Readers' Choice (tie): Bob Palmer/Ed Sardella

Best New Building: KUSA

Best Historic Designation: 20th Street Recreation Center

Best Painted Ladies: Nevada, Cascade and Wood Avenues, Colorado Springs

Best Place to Break Out of a Modern-day Rut: Smoky Hill Trail, Aurora

Best People to Break you Out of that Modern-day Rut: Nancy and Patrick Massengill, Rocky Mountain Living History Association, Heritage Square, Golden

Best Throwback to the Sixties: Ruby Hill

Best Imitation of Texas: U.S. Highway 85 to Greeley

Best Imitation of New York City: California St.

Best Male Roller Skater in a White or Black Lace Tutu: Cinderella

Best Superfund Site: Sand Creek Industrial Site

Best Endangered Species: Colorado Squawfish, ptychocheilus luctus

Best Use of Goats: Cherry Creek State Park

Best Chipmunk Crossing: Main Street, St. Elmo

Best Place to Spot Deer: National Center for Atmospheric Research

Best Place to Spot Dead Deer: C-470

Best Roadside Guilt: Wadsworth Blvd.

Best Place to do Your Taxes at the Last Minute: Wynkoop Brewing Company

Best Stretch of Adopted Highway: Southwest corner of Rocky Flats

Best Scenic Byway: Pawnee Pioneer Trails

Best Place to Park and Neck: Fishback Landing Readers' Choice: Lookout Mountain

Best Place to Watch Planes Land: Havana Way

Best Association Devoted to a Missing Aviatrix: Amelia Earhart Society of Researchers

Best Road Construction: East Evans

Best Public Rumpus Room: Under the Speer Viaduct

Best Bridge to the Future: Speer Viaduct

Best Speed Trap: Speer Viaduct Readers' Choice: Speer

Best Sign that Someone in the City has a Sense of Humor About all this Construction: The Cone Zone

Best Reverb Chamber: Denver Art Museum

Best Nighttime View of Denver: Fan's Lounge, Holiday Inn-Denver Sports Center

Best Endangered Nighttime View of Denver: Mr. Twister, Elitch Gardens

Best Illegal Nighttime View of Denver: Colorado History Museum

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Best Player for the Rockies to Take in the Expansion Draft: John Elway Readers' Choice: Nolan Ryan

Best Zephyr: Jeff Kunkel Readers' Choice: Jim Olander

Best Nugget: Dikembe Mutombo Readers' Choice: Dikembe Mutombo

Best Bronco: John Elway Readers' Choice: John Elway

Best Coach: Wade Phillips Readers' Choice: Dan Reeves

Best-Dressed Coach: Dan Reeves

Best New Job for Paul Westhead: Colorado Rockies manager

Best Local Sports Team: Denver Broncos Readers' Choice: Denver Broncos

Best Scholar-Athletes: Colorado Buffaloes

Best Last Stand: Denver Zephyrs

Best Radio Sports Talk-Show Hosts: Irv Brown and Joe Williams, KYBG-AM Readers' Choice: Dave Logan

Best Radio Sports Talk-Show Host who Never Gets Heard: Thierry Smith, KYBG-AM

Best Radio Announcers for the Rockies: Ernie Harwell and Kenny Albert

Best Sports Bar for the Low-key Sports Fan: Johnny's Bar & Grill

Best Sports Bar for the Wild-eyed Sports Maniac: Brooklyn's

Best Place to see a World-Famous Athlete and his Agent: Morton's of Chicago

Best Sports Place to Meet Guys: Folsom Field

Best Sports Place to Meet Nude Guys: Bally's Holiday Health Club

Best Place to Nude Sunbathe: Denver city parks

Best Beach Culture: Cherry Creek Reservoir

Best Reservoir for Swimmers: Aurora Reservoir

Best Swimming Pool: Anderson Community Center

Best Video Arcade: Boardwalk USA Readers' Choice: Celebrity

Best Cool Pool: Calvin's Before and After

Best Place to be a Pinball Wizard: Smiley's Laundromat

Best Video Arcade for Secret Junkies: Union Station

Best Bowling Alley: Wheat Ridge Lanes

Best Public Tennis Courts: Congress Park

Best Health Club: Washington Park Recreation Center

Best Public Golf Course: Indian Tree Golf Course Readers' Choice: Willis Case

Best Hole on a Public Course: No. 7 at Wellshire

Best Secret Par 3 Course: Windsor Gardens

Best Golf Deal: Denver Parks and Recreation golf card

Best Miniature Golf Course: Adventure Golf Course

Best Driving Range: Aqua Golf

Best Theme Party: Jackass Slacks Tournament

Best Ski Run: Bwana, Vail Readers' Choice: Drunken Frenchman

Best Bumps: Outhouse

Best Ski Lodge: The Outpost

Best Ski Patroller: Audie Mullings, Ski Cooper

Best Mountain Bike Club: Over-the-Bar Scar Club

Best Place to get on a Roll: Historical Belmar Village

Best Skateboarding Park: Independent Skate Park

Best Spot to Rollerblade: 16th Street Mall Readers' Choice: Washington Park

Best Downtown Spot to Catch Air on Your Rollerblades: Market and 16th Streets

Best Bungee Jumping: Bungee Jumping Colorado, Frederick Readers' Choice: Air Boulder

Best Daredevil Sledding: Cherry Creek Dam

Best Stuffed Flounder: Aquatic Arts

Best Wild Insect Safari: Boulder County Open Space Parks

Best Denver Park: Observatory Park Readers' Choice: Washington Park

Best Picnic Spot in the City: Governor's Park Readers' Choice: Washington Park

Best Place to Take a Dog for a Walk: Highline Canal Readers' Choice: Washington Park

Best Place to Take a Dog for a Hike: Mesa Trail

Best Zoo Animal: Polar Bears

Best Light Rail: Denver Zoo Train

Best Place to Watch Trains: Colorado Railroad Museum

Best Suburban Escape Route: Waterton Canyon

Best Vacation Option for the Person Suffering from Kidney Disease: Snow Mountain Ranch, YMCA of the Rockies, Winter Park

Best Day Trip: Bent's Old Fort, La Junta (or close enough) Readers' Choice: Estes Park

Best Close-in Camping: Longs Peak Campground, Rocky Mountain National Park Readers' Choice: Golden Gate Canyon

Best Low-rent Resort: Tiger Run RV Resort, Summit County

Best Low-rent Kiddie Resort: Manitou Springs

Best Indoor Amusement for Kids: Discovery Zone

Best Outdoor Amusement for Kids: Littleton Historical Museum

Best Place to Send your Kids for your Own Peace and Quiet: Cheley Colorado Camps, Estes Park

Best Use of Horsehide Until the Rockies Get Here: Well Oiled Machine

Best Colorado Lottery Numbers: 3, 4, 11, 12, 19 and 41

Best Casino: Dostal's Alley, Central City Readers' Choice: Teller House

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Best Cultural Ride: Cultural Connection Trolley

Best Elite Meet: James Joyce Day

Best Annual Parade: The St. Practice Day Parade, Leadville

Best Seventies Survivor: Capitol Hill People's Fair

Best Annual Festival: Denver March PowWow Readers' Choice: Taste of Colorado

Best Annual Beer Festival: Colorado Brewers Festival, Fort Collins

Best Worst-kept Secret: The Beer and Steer

Best Attention Span for a Publicity Stunt: Bobfest, Avon

Best Museum exhibit: Interactive Video Disk, Denver History Museum, Readers' Choice: Sharks" at Denver Museum of Natural History

Best Public Sculpture: Thatcher Fountain in City Park, East High School Readers' Choice: Buffalo at the Denver Buffalo Company

Best Way to Look Extinction in the Face: Dinosaur Ridge Tour, Morrison Natural History Museum

Best Public Monument to Josef Stalin: The Cruise Room

Best Folk Art Sculpture: Canland

Best Contemporary Public Art: Jade, 17th and Market Streets

Best Commercial Gallery: Robischon Gallery

Best Noncommercial Gallery: EDGE Gallery

Best Gallery Exhibit: A-1 and Only, Alternative Arts Alliance Readers' Choice: Reid Weimer/Chandler Romeo

Best Government Support for the Arts: Denver School of the Arts at Cole Junior High School

Best Art Discovery: Harvest

Best Unexpected Art Discovery: Denver Art Museum

Best Wedgie Trap: The New Arvada Center Amphitheater

Best Performance Art: Dirt & Circuits

Best Art Education on a Budget: Metropolitan State College

Best Unknown Art Space: Mackey Gallery

Best Art Boost to a Neighborhood: Genre Gallery

Best Place to View Art While Eating: Gasoline Alley

Best Place to Eat While Viewing Art: The Turner Museum

Best Place to Eat While Viewing Art Movies: The Mayan

Best Movie Theater, High-tech: The United Artists

Best Movie Theater, Drive-in: East Drive-In

Best Movie Theater, Classic: The Esquire

Best Movie Revival: Citizen Kane

Best Campus Film Series: University of Colorado, Program Council Series

Best Video Rental Store: Video Station Readers' Choice: Blockbuster Video

Best Downtown Video Rental Store: Denver Place Video

Best Video Store B-Movie Selection: Wax Trax

Best Denver International Film Festival Film You'll Never See in Theaters: Crossed Wires

Best Over Hyped Blowout for Conspicuous Consumers: Phantom of the Opera

Best Theatre Season for a Company: Theatre on Broadway

Best New Theatre Company: Now Is Now

Best Local Theatre Newcomer: Vint Lavinder

Best Theatrical Makeover: Beth Fisher

Best Actress: Gwen Harris

Best Actor/Pianist: Jan Van Sickle

Best Bloodsucking Bunny: Bunnicula

Best Aldo Ray-Judy Holliday Imitation: Vincent Robinson and Ruthay

Best Musical: Forever Plaid

Best Local Production: Machinal Readers' Choice: Phantom of the Opera

Best Set: Arsenic and Old Lace

Best Tease: Tartuffe

Best Stripper: Taylor, Diamond Cabaret

Best Belly Dancing: Zenobia's

Best Dance Club: The Marquee Readers' Choice: Fish Dance

Best Rock Club: Herman's Hideaway

Best Rock Club Audience Trend: Silly String

Best Club DJ: Kenny Hamblin Jr.

Best Rave Toy: Specters

Best Jazz Club: Jazz Works Readers' Choice: El Chapultepec

Best Blues Club: Ziggie's Saloon

Best Heavy-Metal Club: The Broadway Readers' Choice: Bangles

Best All-Ages Club: Ground Zero Readers' Choice: Rock Island

Best All-Aged Club: Buffalo Rose Saloon

Best Place to Fall on your Head: Gothic Theatre

Best Country/Western Club: Grizzly Rose Readers' Choice: Grizzly Rose

Best New Place to Hear Live Music: Okoboji's

Best Club Water Bar: The Garage

Best Rock-and-Roll Boudoir: Chris Chamberlain, Dogs of Pleasure

Best 16th Street Mall Entertainer: Robo-Clown, Hudson's Bay Centre

Best Panhandling Musicians: Markahuasi

Best Rockabilly Priest: Lewis Klug

Best Singing Cops: Dave Martin and Scott Buckley

Best Dancehall Reggae Toaster: Raymond Smith, aka Spellbinder

Best Local Rapper: Billie Jean

Best Local Jazz Musician: Bruno Carr

Best Ex-local Jazz Musician: Javon Jackson

Best Jazz Band: The Fred Hess Group Readers' Choice: Dotsero

Best Dance Band: Conjunto Colores Readers' Choice: Monkey Siren

Best Blues Band: Paul Soderman and the Boulder Blues Club Readers' Choice: Bob Hornbuckle

Best Country/Western Band: The Wild Jimbos Readers' Choice (tie): Rattlesnake Shake/Timothy P. and Rural Route 3

Best Fusion Band: Nelson Rangell

Best Rock Band: Big Foot Torso Readers' Choice: Big Head Todd and the Monsters

Best Metal Band: Dogs of Pleasure Readers' Choice: Dogs of Pleasure

Best New Band: Windowpane

Best Comeback Band: The Fluid

Best Local Band Name: '57 Lesbian

Best Solo Acoustic Performer: Robert Smart

Best Concert of the Year: Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians with Matthew Sweet, The Boulder Theater, February 19, 1992 Readers' Choice: Lollapalooza Festival 1991

Best Regular Concert Series: Wednesdays

Best Regular Jam Session: Under the 16th St. viaduct on Platte St.

Best New Year's Eve Party: Slayer at the Gothic Theatre

Best Annual New Year's Eve Party: Seven South

Best Limo Trip to Die For: Mother O'Leary's Party Wagon

Best Get-down Party Van: Front Range Cruises

Best Bar Expansion: The Skyline Cafe

Best Bar Name: Carl's Bad Tavern

Best Bar for Conversation: My Brother's Bar

Best Pickup Bar: Jimmy's Grill

Best Boodle Bar: The Cruise Room

Best Gay Bar: The Fox Hole Readers' Choice (tie): Charlie's/Paradise Garage

Best Authentic Laser Karaoke: Don Don

Best Laser Karaoke Rentals: Keyboard Exchange

Best Jukebox: Bar Elbow Room

Best Commercial Radio Station: KTCL-FM Readers' Choice: KBCO-FM

Best Radio Disc Jockey: Selena, KGNU-FM Readers' Choice: Lewis and Floorwax

Best Radio Commercial Jingle: Avogadro's Number, Bill Amundson, KTCL-FM

Best Radio Commercial Pitchman: Tom Shane

Best Noncommercial Radio Pitch People: E-Town

Best Local Music Radio Show: Radio Free Colorado, KTCL-FM

Best Local Album: Haywire, The World Famous Twister Band

Best Children's Album: Dinosaur Choir, Bonnie Phipps

Best Place to Still Buy Albums: Wax Trax Readers' Choice: Wax Trax

Best Place to Buy Used CDs: Twist and Shout Readers' Choice: Wax Trax

Best Used Record Store/East: Doubleplay Records

Best Used Record Store/West: JB&H Records and Tapes

Best Esoteric Music Store: Mysterium Visionary Music and Art

Best Assortment of Jazz Periodicals: Record Revival

Best Blues Periodical: Blues Access

Best Death Periodical: Pit

GOODS AND SERVICES

Best Fun for a Dollar: Dollar World

Best Fun for 99 Cents: 99 Cent Mart

Best Way to Add to a Junk Collection: Stuff

Best Way to Subtract from a Junk Collection: The Jane System, Association for Retarded Citizens

Best Garbage-Picking: Boulder Spring Cleanup

Best Antiques: Country Palace

Best Discount Arts and Crafts: More for Less

Best Place to Weave on Down the Road: Old Santa Fe Village

Best Way to Keep Gossips Off your Back: Casa Medina

Best Place for a Miracle: Manos Folk Art

Best Place to Buy Kitsch After Midnight: Biggs

Best Place to Buy Sixties Kitsch: Baby Boomerama

Best Place to Buy Sci-fi Kitsch: Science Fiction Plus

Best Place to Buy Cowboy Kitsch: Cowboy Classics

Best Place to Meet Swingers: Square Dance Record Roundup

Best Western Wear Store: Denver Buffalo Company Trading Post

Best Place to Buy a Beaded Belt for Cheap: Garden of the Gods Trading Post

Best Macho Cowboy Boots: Mexico Shoe Store

Best Exotic Cowboy Boots: Denver Boot Outlet

Best Shoe Repair: Kim's Shoe Service

Best Free Dryers: City Center Laundromat & Cleaners

Best Shirt Cleaning: Smiley's Laundromat and Cleaners

Best Hat Cleaning: Dave's Hat Cleaning and Western Wear

Best Antique Hats: Vintage Reflections.

Best Vintage Clothing: Raggedy Ann's Readers' Choice: Circa 1900

Best Cheap Costumes: Marcia's of Denver

Best Way to Make Waves Without Making Waves: What Women Want: Customized Swimwear

Best Custom Bow Ties: Carrot & Gibbs

Best Button-Pushers: JHB International

Best Yarn Store: Ewenique Yarns

Best Yuppie Fun Wear: Bik Bok

Best deal for the man in the gray flannel suit: Quality Apparel Outlet

Best shopping pros for professional women: Molly's of Denver

Best clothing sale girls (or boys) who want to marry a millionaire: Last Call Sales, Neiman-Marcus

Best thrift store: Thrifty Scotsman Readers' Choice: Value Village

Best secondhand adult clothing: Second Look Limited

Best consignment shop for the big-boned gal: Second Hand Rose-Ann

Best bad-memory purge: Twice Around Wedding Gowns

Best place to buy wedding presents: Artisan's Center

Best Place to Register for Wedding Gifts: Peppercorn Gourmet Goods, The Peppercorn Collection

Best Place to Commit Adultery in Style: Mon Chalet

Best Place to Commit Adultery on the Cheap: No Tel Motel

Best Place to Play Dungeon: Club Cabaret

Best Adult Bookstore: Adult Trading Post Readers' Choice: Kitty's

Best Specialty Bookstore: Colorado History Museum Gift Shop

Best Denver History Book: Denver: Mining Camp to Metropolis

Best Used Bookstore: Half Price Books Readers' Choice: Capitol Hill Books

Best Western Lore Bookstore: Trails West

Best Antiquarian Bookstore: Astoria Books

Best Place to Have a Religious Experience: The Bible Superstore

Best Children's Bookstore: Bookies

Best Newsstand for Magazines: Black and Read

Best Selection of Used Magazines: Denver Book Barter

Best Movie Poster Store: Cinema Graphics Movie Poster Shop

Best Calendar: The Fridge-A-Dater

Best Computer BBS: The Global-Link Network BBS

Best Computer Repair: Whizbang

Best Emergency Computer Repair: Disk Doctor

Best Emergency Room for Neurotic Parents: Porter Memorial Hospital

Best ObGyns: Colorado ObGyn Society

Best psychiatric deal: Eating Disorders Support Groups, YWCA of Metro Denver

Best Prices on Prescription Antidepressants: Phar-Mor

Best Sign on a Detox Center: DTs

Best Place to Take a Fraidy-Cat: South Penn Cat Clinic

Best Behavioral Therapy for Dogs: Stock Dog Fanciers of Colorado

Best Dog Trainer: Lauren Trichter

Best Place to Buy Pet Supplies: Sherlock Hounds Sixth Avenue Pet Supply

Best Dog Grooming: Mrs. C's Bowser Boutique

Best Haircut for Kids: Avis Gallegos, Great Clips

Best Rock-and-Roll Hairstylist: Danielle at D. Fiores

Best Place to Get a Hand Job: Maria, Rita's Underground Salon

Best Massage Deal in Denver: Lake Steam Baths

Best Massage Deal in Boulder: Boulder School of Massage Therapy Clinic

Best Back-Cracker: Harvey, The Herb Shoppe

Best Substitute for Magic Fingers: Biosymphonix Chair, Sondex Technologies

Best Cheap Seats: The Chairman

Best Dinette Sets: Ace Restaurant Equipment Company

Best Souvenir Coming Back from Estes Park: Stone tables

Best Deals on Furniture Straight Out of an Episode of The Jetsons: Flashback Modern Design

Best Kiddie Convertible: Sit 'n' Stroll, Safeline Children's Products Company

Best Deals on Baby Furniture: The Baby Bed Man

Best Used Baby Furniture: Guys & Dolls

Best Deals on Children's Clothes: Chocolate Soup

Best Deal for Working Parents: Gilpin Extended Day Center

Best Place to Make a Little Man Out of your Little Boy: Children's Exchange

Best Cure for the Gimmes: Smiley Library

Best Place to Buy, Sell or Trade used Nintendo Games: Power Play Games

Best Puppets: And Puppets, Colorado Wool Works and Puppets

Best Reason to Let Go of your Children: Wee Beeps, Protech Products

Best Way to Remain Forever Young: Foto Magic Video

Best Lens Pals: Lindahl's Photo Sales

Best Help for the Hopelessly Myopic: Fred Rubalcava, Wheat Ridge Optical

Best Moshable Contact Lenses: Dr. Simonson, Lens Crafters, Cinderella City

Best Deals on Used Tools: Charlie's Second Hand Store

Best Deals on Building Materials: Mile High Used Lumber

Best Rock Gardening Center: Paulino Gardens

Best Place to Buy Seeds: Rocky Mountain Seed Company Readers' Choice: Rocky Mountain Seed Company

Best Place to Buy Plants: Al's Pine Nursery Readers' Choice: Echter's

Best Place to Buy Irises: Long's Gardens

Best Place to Buy Herbs: The Herbery

Best Indoor Winter Wonderland: Le Grue's

Best Politically Correct Lawn: Native Sod Company

Best Recycling Service: City Spirit Cafe Readers' Choice: King Soopers

Best Environmentally Correct Resumes: Signal Graphics

Best Resource for the Career-Blocked: The Whole Work Catalog

Best Instant Translations: Denver Translation Institute

Best Courier Service: Quick Silver Express Courier

Best Bail Bondsman: Duane Chapman, A Bail Bonds

Best Notary and Tattoo Artist: Emporium of Design

Best Assortment of Moving Services: E.A.R.T.H.

Best New State Service: Colorado Library Card

Best New City Service: Citizen's Hotline

Best Class in Citizenry: Stop Feeling Powerless Over Politics, Colorado Free University

Best Fifties Full Service: Vince's Red Carpet Auto Service

Best Use of Corn: Vickers Total Petroleum

Best Service Station for Grumps: Phillips 66

Best Place to Refill your Tank While Refueling your Spirits: Mitch's Texaco

Best Used Car Parts: All Imports

Best Motorcycle Parts and Palaver: Performance Cycle of Colorado

Best Mom-and-Pop Radio Shop: Camelot Communications

Best Guide to Frequent Flyer Deals: InsideFlyer

Best Ride in from the Airport: RTD's A Bus

Best Unexpected Pepsi Machine on the Way to the Airport: The alley at Eudora St. and Martin Luther King Blvd.

Best Unexpected Pepsi Machine on the Way from the Airport: 2461 Champa St.

Best Collection of Cuban Pop: Panchita's Mexican Imports and Grocery Store

Best Collection of Mexican Pop: Safeway

Best Asian Market: Indochina Fresh Seafood & Meat

Best Deli Case for Cannibals: King Soopers

Best Neighborhood Market, Low End: Sunnsyside Market

Best Neighborhood Market, High End: FBC Foods International Readers' Choice: Alfalfa's

Best Neighborhood Market for Very Careful Shoppers: Rose Dairy/John Sunkel Insurance Agency

Best Grocery Store Aisle for Bachelors: Aisle 7, King Soopers

Best Drunken Cowpoke Pickup: Biggs Hypermart

Best Bean Scene: The Women's Bean Project

Best Fresh Produce in Season: Zweck's Readers' Choice: Alfalfa's

Best ABC Product: Kuner's Southwestern Vegetables

Best Neighborhood Bakery: Bluepoint Bakery Readers' Choice: Great Harvest Bread Company

Best Place to Burn your Buds: The Big Chili

Best Place to Get Meat Like Ike: Wally's Quality Meats and Delicatessen

Best Beer-Making Supplies: Colonel John's

Best Vending Machine: Breckenridge lift tickets at Vicker's

Best Place to Buy in Bulk: Pace Membership Warehouse Readers' Choice: Pace

Best 16th Street Mall Vendor: Masala Readers' Choice: Fifty-Cent Hot Dogs

Best Freebie: Neighborhood Night, Elitch Gardens Readers' Choice: Westword

FOOD AND DRINK

Best Cheap Breakfast: Sunnyside Drug Readers' Choice: Pete's Kitchen

Best Blowout Sunday Brunch: Tuscany Readers' Choice: Simms Landing

Best Cheap Lunch: Arapahoe Junction

Best Cheap Expensive Lunch: Al Fresco

Best Cheap Fast Lunch: Vietnamna

Best Cheap Lunch Counter: Asian Market

Best Dinner Under $5: Pho' Hoa Readers' Choice: Taco Bell

Best Meal to Split: Jerusalem Restaurant

Best Microwave Meals in a Scenic Locale: Union Station Snack Bar

Best All-You-Can-Eat Deal: The Gondolier Readers' Choice: Furr's

Best Happy Hour for Free Food: Cafe Potpourri Readers' Choice: Fish Dance

Best Happy Hour for a Buck: Club Infinity

Best Midnight Meal: Las Palmas II Readers' Choice: Denny's

Best Donuts: Donut Hut

Best Blueberry Donuts: Sun Rise Donuts

Best Cinnamon Rolls with your Grass-Hay Gossip: Hygiene Cafe

Best Biscuits and Gravy: Duffy's Shamrock Restaurant and Bar

Best Breakfast Burritos: Benny's Place

Best Breakfast Burrito in an Italian Restaurant: Mangia Mangia

Best Sandwiches: Goldie's Deli Readers' Choice: Subway

Best Sandwich Deal: Granada Fish Market

Best Club Sandwich: Mocha Cafe

Best Pastrami Sandwich: Grand Central Station

Best Vietnamese Sandwiches: Vinh Xu'o'ng Bakery

Best Italian Sandwich: Al Fresco

Best Pizza: Pasquini's Pizzeria Readers' Choice: Beau Jo's

Best Pizza by the Slice: Gaspare's Bakery

Best Green Pizza: Teresa's Pizza Cafe

Best Pasta Salads to go: Greens Market

Best Bread: Biba Bar and Grill

Best Way to Ruin your Appetite: Fratelli's Pizza Parlor

Best Salad Bar: Alfalfa's Readers' Choice: Healthy Habits

Best Soup: Zenith American Grill

Best Hamburger: Bistro Adde Brewster Readers' Choice: Chili's

Best Hot Dogs: Denver Buffalo Company Readers' Choice: Mustard's Last Stand

Best French Fries: New York Deli News Readers' Choice: McDonald's

Best Chicken Wings: Hog Heaven

Best Fried Chicken: Kapre Lounge and Fried Chicken Readers' Choice: KFC

Best Meatloaf: Rocky Mountain Diner

Best Mashed Potatoes: Brick Oven Beanery

Best Tuna Salad: East Side Kosher Deli

Best Italian Sausage: Johnnie's Market

Best Sausages from the Old Country: Alfalfa's Market

Best Cevapcici: Gordana's Bistro

Best Place to French-Kiss a Buffalo: The Fort

Best Little Shop of Frozen Horrors: Thai Grocery

Best Calamari: Antipasto's

Best Surprising Sushi: L'Auberge Zen

Best Really Surprising Sushi: Akebono

Best Ban Chan: Kang Chon

Best Unexpected Shrimp: Delhi Darbar

Best Unexpected Phat Thai: Presto Fried Rice

Best Thai Curry: Thai Orchid

Best Egg Foo Yung: Sue Lee's

Best Selection of Chinese Teas: China Jade Seafood Restaurant

Best Pu Pu Platter: Wang Tsau Dynasty

Best Pates: Sadie's Caribbean Cafe

Best Pate: Cliff Young's

Best Chicken-Liver Pate: The Little Russian Cafe

Best Reason to Eat Liver: Strings

Best Reason to Eat Tofu: Sawaddee Thai Cuisine

Best Chips and Salsa: La Cueva Readers' Choice: Juanita's

Best Burrito: El Taco de Mexico Readers' Choice: Chubby's

Best Roadside Burritos: Burritos & Co.

Best Tamale: La Popular

Best Enchilada: Rosa Linda Mexican Cafe

Best Refritos: Las Delicias

Best Black Beans: Rio Grande

Best Taco: Taqueria Patzcuaro Readers' Choice: Taco Bell

Best Greaseless Taco: La Casa de Manuel

Best Chile Relleno: El Taco de Mexico Readers' Choice: Blue Bonnet

Best Yuppie Rellenos: Mexicali Cafe

Best Red Chile: The Fort

Best Green Chile: Taqueria Patzcuaro Readers' Choice: Las Delicias

Best Green Chile Burn: Bamboo Hut

Best Mole: El Charrito Restaurante y Cantina

Best Margarita: Rio Grande Readers' Choice: Blue Bonnet

Best Local Beer: Norm Clarke's Pale Ale, Champion Brewing Company

Best Beer Presentation: Judge Baldwin's

Best Girlfriend Drink: The Pink Thing, Rocky Mountain Diner

Best Stop for a Quick One: Bartender Dave Miller, Bay Wolf

Best Bartender: Chuck Abboud, McFann's

Best Drive-Through Wine Advice: Chateau Liquors

Best Neighborhood Bar and Beer Store: Wynkoop Brewing Company

Best Neighborhood Liquor Store: Logan Liquors

Best Lemonade: Plain Brown Wrapper

Best Hot Chocolate: Mont Blanc, The French Confection

Best Free Cup of Coffee: Cook's Mart

Best Iced Coffee: The Summer Buzz, Xpresso

Best Latte: The Espresso Bar, University Hospital

Best Espresso Fix in a Hurry: Peaberry Coffee, Tabor Center

Best Desserts: Two Bitts Bistro Readers' Choice: Sfuzzi

Best Sugar-Free Dessert: Jus Cookin's

Best Cookies: Italian Pastries and Bakery

Best Cholesterol-Cake Masquerading as Health Food: Treats Bakery

Best Macaroons: Brown Palace

Best After-Dinner Mints: Ciao! Baby

Best Food-As-Art Presentation: Cache Cache

Best Inadvertent Baby Food: Cafe Paradiso

Best Children's Menu: Buckhorn Exchange

Best High Chair: Racine's

Best McDonald's Seats: 10925 W. Colfax Ave.

Best Place to Smell Cadillac Anderson's Sneakers: Hog Heaven

Best Restaurant Bathrooms: Champion Brewing Company

Best View on West Colfax: International House of Pancakes

Best Outdoor Cafe: Thoa's 158 Readers' Choice: Paramount Cafe

Best Off-Street Patio: Marketplace Cafe

Best Coffeehouse: Caffe Antica Roma Readers' Choice (tie): Gasoline Alley/Paris on the Platte

Best Family Coffeehouse: Common Grounds Coffeehouse

Best Food Court Booth: Chubby's #2 Readers' Choice (tie): Bennet's Bar-B-Que Pit/Falafel King

Best Deli: New York Deli News

Best Mexican Deli: Johnnie's Market

Best Unlikely Barbecue Joint: The Links at City Park

Best Unlikely Spot for Greek Food: Ogden Street South

Best Chicago Cuisine: Bink's Burgers

Best Long Island Cuisine: Papa J's Restaurant and Lounge

Best Garlic Rush: Pasta Jay's

Best Italian Restaurant: O Sole Mio Readers' Choice: Olive Garden

Best Opera-Singing in an Italian Restaurant: Teresa Carroll, Mike Berardi's

Best Place to Hear Inna Gadda Da Vida" on a Violin While you Smoke a Cigar: Cliff Young's

Best Strolling Accordion Player: Tony Heindl, Cafe Milan

Best Romantic Restaurant: Greenbriar Inn Readers' Choice: Flagstaff House

Best French Restaurant: Normandy French Restaurant Readers' Choice: Le Central

Best Place to Get High: Himalayas

Best Chinese Restaurant: Sue Lee's Readers' Choice: Imperial Chinese Seafood Restaurant

Best Seafood Restaurant: McCormick's Fish House and Bar Readers' Choice: Fresh Fish Company

Best Asian Seafood Restaurant: New Orient

Best Vietnamese Restaurant: New Saigon Readers' Choice: T-Wa Inn

Best Korean Restaurant: Myong Restaurant and Night Club

Best Asian Barbecue: Restaurant Seoul

Best Thai Restaurant: Siamese Plate Readers' Choice: Chao Praya Thai

Best Japanese Restaurant: Sushi Den Readers' Choice: Sushi Den

Best Steakhouse: Morton's of Chicago Readers' Choice: Morton's of Chicago

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Best Vegetarian Selection in a Non-vegetarian Restaurant: Cache Cache

Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Greens Natural Foods Cafe Readers' Choice: Harvest Restaurant and Bakery

Best New Restaurant: Q's

Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying: Flagstaff House Restaurant Readers' Choice: Morton's of Chicago